Results 3,541-3,560 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (4 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: As part of the overall energy conservation strategy in the Leinster House complex, the Office of Public Works installed extensive sub-metering on both electrical and heating supplies which serve all the various buildings on the campus in 2007. Each of the meters is connected to the OPW web based energy monitoring system. The collected data will form the basis of a major energy awareness...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (4 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: The draft National Energy Efficiency Action Plan sets out the measures that Government may take to achieve at least 20% energy savings across the economy by 2020. The public sector is expected to make a major contribution to achievement of that target, by reducing its energy demand by 33%. As part of this commitment the Office of Public Works is pursuing a three-pronged strategy to reduce...

Written Answers — Natural History Museum: Natural History Museum (4 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: The Office of Public Works is awaiting the final report into the collapse of a staircase in the Museum of Natural History. This report will inform the scope of works to be undertaken. The Government has allocated €15 million in the National Development Plan 2007-2013 for the refurbishment of the Natural History Museum. This is a complex conservation project in a protected structure and...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (4 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: During construction works on the Kilkenny Flood Relief Scheme some interference was caused to properties at John's Quay. Property owners who had contacted the Office of Public Works in relation to reputed damage were advised by the Commissioners to forward details of any losses/damage that may have been occasioned by the drainage works as the OPW wanted to either put in place remedial...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (5 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: The existing wall in this area has been assessed by Dublin City Council and has been found to be structurally sound. As the wall does not require replacement from a flood defence perspective, such a replacement does not fall within OPW's remit on activities under its Flood Relief Programme.

Seanad: Budget Statement 2008: Statements (5 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: I welcome this opportunity to present to Seanad Éireann key features of today's budget. This is the first unified budget which brings together the resources available and the various demands for expenditure. Today, the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance announced a budget which is prudent, progressive and inclusive. In the last 12 months the global environment has altered and a number of...

Seanad: Budget Statement 2008: Statements (Resumed). (5 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: I thank Members for their comments. To be fair the Minister for Finance and Tánaiste speaks for 45 minutes or so and does not cover every aspect of every cent spent. The Ministers will tomorrow make statements about the nitty gritty and much has already been discussed. At the various Estimates meetings, Ministers must outline what they will achieve for the year and they will be answerable...

Seanad: Budget Statement 2008: Statements (Resumed). (5 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: We are a small country and unfortunately we are not in a position to dictate to the world yet. I will deal with a few of the issues mentioned by a number of people. Senator Kelly stated the stamp duty provision would benefit people buying expensive houses. If a tax is changed, whether it is income tax or stamp duty, those who pay more benefit to a slightly greater extent. I was a Minister...

Seanad: Budget Statement 2008: Statements (Resumed). (5 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: That is how they have been designated for years.

Seanad: Budget Statement 2008: Statements (Resumed). (5 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: When the three-year programme has concluded they no longer will be because they will be at the same level as the non-contributory pensioner. There was a lot of good today. It was an appropriate budget, relevant to the challenges facing us for the year ahead. There is no point in one batch of Senators speaking of all the extra things on which the money should be spent and another batch...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (6 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: The Commissioners of Public Works have signed a contract for sale for a site at Roxborough for a new Garda Station in Wexford. Progress has been made with regard to the conclusion of the legal arrangements to finalise this transaction with the Vendor's Solicitor and the Chief State Solicitor. Full and satisfactory conclusion is essential to enable progress to be made on all other matters in...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (11 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: The value for money review of the OPW Flood Relief programme is due for completion by the end of 2007.

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (11 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: The value for money review of the OPW Property Management Service is due for completion by the end of 2008. It is not possible at this stage to make assumptions on what the outcome of this review will indicate.

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (11 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: It is proposed to place the former Garda Station in Carbury, County Kildare for sale on the open market early in 2008.

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (12 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: The planning process under Part 9 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended) has been completed in respect of the provision of a new Garda Station at Castleisland, Co. Kerry. It is hoped to invite tenders in early 2008.

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (12 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: The initiative referred to by the Deputy provided that the Office of Public Works would work with Local Authorities to address localised flooding problems raised by the Authorities. The cost of any works would have to be commensurate with the expected benefit and the environmental impact would have to be acceptable. The OPW would either provide funding for works undertaken by the Authorities...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (13 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: The report referred to in the previous reply has now been completed and has been agreed by the project stakeholder group consisting of representatives of OPW, ESB and Limerick and Clare County Councils. The report will be submitted to the National Parks and Wildlife Service next week.

Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (18 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: I refer to my reply to question 163 of 10th October, 2007. The scaffolding has since been erected and the structural stability of the Folly is being assessed.

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (18 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: I am advised that the drainage problem in this case does not relate to risk of flooding and does not therefore come within the remit of the Commissioners of Public Works. I understand Kildare County Council is aware of the problem.

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (18 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: The Government has allocated €50 million in 2008, an increase of €18 million over 2007 figures, to assist the Office of Public Works in its role as lead agency in the management of flood risk nationally and the implementation of flood relief works. Four major flood relief schemes at Clonmel, Mallow, Fermoy and Ennis are expected to be at construction stage by the end of the first quarter...